Thread: Vertical Welding

What rods are you using?

Originally Posted by georgevb

Hi,

I am about to start a project with vertical welding and my practice attempts look like a collection of caterpillas died on the metal.

Any advice appreciated.

I am using a stick welder - inverter china made, but have had good results on fillet welds and butt welds.

Thanks in advance

Hi GeorgeVB,

Hopefully you have have been welding for a good while and have a deal of experience in controlling a short arc in the downhand (flat position).

What you are faced with as welder wanting to perform vertical welding, is the need to position molten metal to prevent the natural force of gravity from making your weld look like your string of caterpillars.

There are a few more variables which need to be understood and managed by you the welder.

• The selection of a appropriate electrode to perform the weld
• The selection of the correct amperage for the rod
• Holding the rod as it burns, to a short arc length.
• Welding on a piece of metal thick enough to avoid burn through
• Utilising an a suitable weave pattern

Read the above as things that will spoil the weld if not managed sucessfully.

The selection of a appropriate electrode to perform the weld
Electrodes come usually with a 4 digit code on them ie 6012, 6013 which are the numbers of the rods which would suit your intended welding. The gauge or diameter of the core wire should be relative to thickness of metal you wish to weld. Dot point 4 is also relative here, in that in metal thickness’, say, below 3mm ,you will have your work cut out for you trying to weld it .

The selection of the correct amperage for the rod
Beginners over compensate for the position and use amperage way under what is needed. Start with 5 amps under what use for normal down hand and go from there. If you are lucky enough to have an inverter set up on electrode negative and it will run very nicely. AC welders will give slightly better peno but you will be hard pressed to measure it

Holding the rod as it burns to a short arc length.
Short arc is one of the crucial techniques. It prevents overheating and helps control molten metal volume and allows penetration.

Utilising a suitable weave pattern.

The weld, as deposited, is thick in the middle and thin at the edges. If it is allowed to build up excessively in its middle it gets to a point where there is too much molten volume and it sags. The trick is to weave the electrode and manipulate so this effect can’t occur. By moving between edges by snapping or flicking the electrode it is possible to do this. If it is hot in the middle we move to the edge and pause and move.

Now remember, I said pause meaning a very brief pause to allow change of direction, not park it there for a while. You can only hold it so long before gravity takes over and its blobby again . The (relatively) cold edges of the (parent) metal conduct the unwanted heat out of the central molten metal area.

The idea is to develop a rhythm and pause for equal times on each side so the bead is even .The rhythm will assist a visually appealing and even looking bead

After the pause we need to move slightly upwards but not too aggressively.Too steep of an upward angle causes a separation of side to side beads and holes appear between them. The back and forward passes are just off horizontal. The intention is to overlap the bead of this (off) horizontal pass over the one preceding it.

I'll try and post some graphics when I get my scanner sorted out.

Cheers
Grahame

I recently got a bunch of welding videos (only wanted the aluminium gas welding one) and there is a decent arc welding 'tutorial' video. If you want I can host it somewhere and you can download it?

Covers vertical and overhead welding as far as I know.

Originally Posted by DeltaNegative

I recently got a bunch of welding videos (only wanted the aluminium gas welding one) and there is a decent arc welding 'tutorial' video. If you want I can host it somewhere and you can download it?

Covers vertical and overhead welding as far as I know.

I would definately like to see that !!

Both videos are 700mb, if that is to large I can make them smaller for you if you wish.

Originally Posted by DeltaNegative

Both videos are 700mb, if that is to large I can make them smaller for you if you wish.

That is fine for me )

Thanks,

Matt.

I'll make it a bit smaller, quality will be the same just a smaller download (and upload for me)

Originally Posted by Matty5700

I would definately like to see that !!

Me and probably a few others too.

Denn

you need to weld at a much lower setting than for fillet welds.

Here is the first video

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=CQSHXJNU

If you have trouble playing it try VLC

Originally Posted by DeltaNegative

Here is the first video

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=CQSHXJNU

If you have trouble playing it try VLC

Thankyou !! Excellent timing to, I just came inside to update another thread downloading it now.

Thanks DeltaNegative very informative video.

Hi guys,

While the video did have some many instructive points for many new welders
it barely touched upon those important points points that go into making decent vertical up weld.

The side to side weave manipulation is critical to finish and layering on the individual horizontal bead which ideally should be stacked upon each other.

Zig zagging upwards too quickly leaves gaps and holes between the individual passes. The slight upward motion is made only at the edges.

Hopefully the graphics will explain a touch better than I can in words.


Cheers'

Grahame

mate get some 12P's run a straight pass down the middle, then start your weaving, dont be afraid to try it going down first, unless your biulding a bridge, vertical down is a good strong weld.